Federal Judge Lawrence O'Neill lifted his temporary restraining order on the release of Trinity River water this Thursday (Aug., 22, 2013), thus deciding against a preliminary injunction which would have halted any release until a pending lawsuit over the issue is settled. As a result of Judge O'Neill's decision, this Sun, Aug 25, the flow from Lewiston Dam to the Trinity River will begin to increase. The Trinity River is the main tributory of the Klamath River. See the map below for the location of Lewiston Dam.

Judge O'Neill got involved after the Federal Bureau of Reclamation had authorized the flows to begin on Aug. 13, to protect the fish. Subsequently, the Westlands Water District and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority sued the bureau claiming the releases would decrease already low water allocations available to farmers. In his decision Judge O'Neill found that blocking the flows would do greater harm to the tribes and the fisheries, if an injunction was granted, than it would to the water districts.

The day before Judge O'Neill's decision to release the water, a group of Hoopa Valley Tribal members demonstrated in Fresno at the location where the hearing on the matter was to be held - the aim being to convey the impacts that a large-scale fish kill would have on the people of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers.

Hear more details on this story in a piece submitted by Kelly Lincoln and aired on the KMUD Local News on Friday, Aug. 23, 2013.

Salvatore Ted Arena, age 42, of Freshwater is being sought for suspected abandonment of three dogs, Angel, Becky and Ginger, that had belonged to his brother who passed away this February. According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Arena is believed to have left the area headed for the east coast, and they will be seeking warrant for his arrest. The original and updated press releases appear below.

HCSO Press Release, dated Aug. 22, 2013:On 08/21/13 an Officer from the California Highway Patrol brought three dogs into the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter that were found running in the roadway on New Navy Base Road at Lincoln Avenue in Fairhaven. The dogs are a black Labrador retriever mix, approximately 12 years old, a brown German shepherd mix, approximately 10 years old, and a brown Airedale Terrier mix, approximately 10 years old. All three dogs are female.

On 08/21/13 Animal Shelter staff located a posting on Craigslist from 08/08/13 from an unidentified person in Freshwater who stated that their neighbor is/was moving to the East Coast and had three dogs that he could not keep. There were photos of the dogs on the Craigslist posting and they are the same dogs as those brought into the shelter. The back yard of a residence is clearly visible in one of the photographs.

On 08/22/13 Animal Shelter staff located a second posting on Craigslist about the dogs. This posting is from someone who saw a male subject abandon the dogs on New Navy Base Road and Bay St. The posting states that a male subject in his mid-30’s with short hair, driving a newer black 4 wheel drive truck left the dogs and was telling them to “stay” as he drove away. One of the dogs was nearly struck by a car while chasing the truck down the road. It is not clear if the person responsible for this Craigslist post was the person who reported the loose dogs to CHP. Animal Shelter staff has replied to both Craigslist postings but have not received any response.

Abandonment of an animal is a crime. The Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division is asking for the public’s help to identify the owner of these dogs. Anyone who recognizes the dogs and/or the back yard of the residence in the photographs is asked to call Animal Control Officer Hale at 707-840-9132 or the Crime Tip Line, 707-268-2539

HCSO Updated Press Release, dated Aug., 23, 2013:The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has positively identified the suspect in this case as Salvatore Ted Arena, age 42, of Freshwater. The three dogs, Angel, Becky and Ginger, had belonged to Arena’s brother who passed away suddenly in February of this year. Arena began trying to surrender the dogs to local rescues about one week ago stating that he was moving to the East Coast. Gail Holder of K-9 Angels Rescue had been in frequent contact with Arena and was working to try to get the dogs into foster care. She received a call from him on 08/21/13 just before the dogs were found abandoned in Fairhaven. Arena told her that he had to leave the following morning and that he could not put the dogs in his truck and take them across the country with him.

The Sheriff’s Office will be seeking a warrant for Arena’s arrest. At this time we have reason to believe that he has already left the area. Anyone having information to the contrary is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Animal Control Division, 707 840-9132, or the Crime Tip Line, 707-268-2539.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with marijuana grows on two separate properties in Southern Humboldt, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office today, Thurs. Aug 22-2013.

Arrested at a 40 acre property off the 3200 block of Perry Meadow Road in Briceland, were Jesus Guillermo Grass Martinez age 35 and Juan Canas age 23. During the operation Officers confiscated 599 marijuana plants and found methamphetamine, cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. Also seized were an assault rifle with two high capacity magazines, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .45 caliber handgun, and $40,000 dollars in cash. Also at the scene was a third suspect identified as Carrie Watcher-Martinez age 40, the wife of Jesus Martinez. She was cited for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana and released at the scene.

The second property, allegedly "under the control of Jesus Martinez", located in the 9000 block of Wilder Ridge Road Ettersburg, yielded 195 outdoor marijuana plants ranging in size from 5 foot to 8 feet. For more information see the press release below.

HCSO Press Release, dated Aug. 22, 2013:

On 08-20-2013 the Humboldt County Drug Task Force assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office served two marijuana related search warrants in the Garberville area.The first search warrant was served on a 40 acre parcel of property located off the 3200 block of Perry Meadow Road in Briceland at about 10:00 am. Officers located an outdoor marijuana garden on the property. Officers seized 599 marijuana plants that ranged in size from 2 foot to 3 feet. Officers located methamphetamine, cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms in the residence. Officers located an AR-15 type, .223 caliber assault rifle with two high capacity magazines, a 12 gauge shotgun and a .45 caliber handgun. Officers located $40,000 dollars in cash in the residence that was seized for possible asset forfeiture.

Officers arrested two suspects located on the property, who were identified as Jesus Guillermo Grass Martinez age 35 and Juan Canas age 23. Martinez was arrested for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana, possession and possession for sales of methamphetamine possession of cocaine, possession and possession for sales of psilocybin mushrooms and for being armed in the commission of a felony. Martinez’s bail was set at $125,000 dollars.

Canas was arrested for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana. Canas also had an immigration hold placed on him for being in the United States illegally. A third suspect identified as Carrie Watcher-Martinez age 40, who is Jesus Martinez wife, was cited and released at the scene for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana.

The second search warrant was served in the 9000 block of Wilder Ridge Road Ettersburg at about 2:30 pm. This property was under the control of Jesus Martinez. Officers located 195 outdoor marijuana plants growing on the property that ranged in size from 5 foot to 8 feet. There were no suspects located on the property. This case remains under investigation by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force.

If anyone wants to report drug related activity they can contact Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-444-8095.

The human remains found on Mon., Sept.9 at a campsite believed to be used by missing Anna Maria Rodriquez have been positively identified as those of the missing woman, according to a story in the Times Standard on-line. See the update below for information about locating the remains. The positive identification was made using dental records, and according to Humboldt County Coroner Dave Parris the actual cause of death is still unknown, although no evidence of foul play has been identified.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office investigators found bones, believed to be human remains, in a campsite that contained documents indicating the site was previously occupied by Anna Maria Rodriquez . Last month Rodriquez' brother reported her as missing in the Slate Creek area, near Orleans, California. The original post on this incident appears below. The remains were turned over to the Humboldt County Coroner's Office for possible identification and determination of a cause of death. The HCSO press release on this update appears directly below.

HCSO press release, dated Tuesday, September 10, 2013:On Monday September 9, 2013, Detective Fulton returned to the Slate Creek Area to continue the search for missing person Anna Rodriquez. Detective Fulton and other members of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office had searched an area of Slate Creek last week, after it was reported to Fulton that possible human remains had been located. That search effort resulted in locating what they believed could have been a campsite of Rodriquez but not locating suspected human remains.

This Monday, Fulton was lead back to the campsite by the persons who originally reported finding the remains. Detective Fulton did locate multiple bones, believed to be human. The area these remains were found was within a disheveled camp site. There were also other documents located that leads investigators to believe this was a camp once occupied by Rodriquez. The remains were collected and have been turned over to the Humboldt County Coroner for possible identification and determination of a cause of death.

A search of the campsite and immediate area of the campsite did not offer any evidence as a cause of death for the individual whose remains were found. There was also nothing located to suspect foul play as a result of the death, but has not been ruled out. The investigation will continue to determine what had transpired that resulted in the death of this individual. Anyone with any information about Rodriquez, is asked to call Detective Todd Fulton at (707) 268-3646

The original post on this story appears below.

Anna Maria Rodriquez (see photo above) was last seen by her brother when he dropped her off at a trailhead three miles out Slate Creek, near Orleans, California, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The brother told the investigatigating deputy that his sister had camped in this area on previous occasions and intended to stay for about 75 days this time. Her brother became concerned when Anna Maria was not there to be picked up at their agreed upon rendezvous time and place. After checking the trailhead daily for five days, Anna Maria's brother reported her missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

Anna Maria Rodriquez is described as: 5'-5” tall, 180 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing blue jeans and an unknown colored shirt. Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The full press release appears below.

Press Release from HCSO, dated 08-15-2013:On 08-14-2013, approximately 10:00 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who reported his sister as an overdue hiker. The citizen told the investigating deputy he dropped his sister Anna Maria Rodriquez off at a trailhead three miles out Slate Creek, Orleans. He said his sister told him she intended to hike for about 75 days. He agreed to meet her back at the drop off area on 08-09-2013 and she failed to show up. He re-checked the trailhead daily until 08-14-2013.

He said she brought food, a tent, clothes, backpack and numerous other items with her. She told him she planned to camp in the area about ten miles north- northeast of the drop off. He told the deputy she has done this before. This was her second or third time which is why he was not concerned about her returning to the area, however this was the longest time she had been camping out in that area. She has a cell phone but it is currently turned off either due to a dead battery or voluntarily.

A California Highway Patrol plane flew the area on 08-14-2013 and a team of deputies are currently hiking the trails in the area assisted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter.

Anna Maria Rodriquez is described as follows: 5-5” tall, 180 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes last seen wearing blue jeans and an unknown colored shirt. She has no permanent place of residence.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

An interview, aired by KMUD correspondent Christina Aanestad with Lieutenant Steve Knight of the Humboldt County sheriff's Office, indicated that criminal as well as civil penalties could be sought against individuals caught stealing water.

Hear more using the player below to listen to the interview which was aired on the KMUD Local News on Thurs., Sept. 5, 2013.

Last Tues., Sept. 3, in the morning before school started, a maintenance worker at the Bridgeville Elementary School in Bridgeville, Calif. found there to be no running water at the school. When he checked the school's 20,000 gal water tank the maintenance worker found it to be completely drained. A Humboldt County Sheriff's investigation revealed tire tracks that may have indicated a water truck or large truck and trailer with water tanks was used to steal the water from the school's water tank. The HCSO press release appears below.

Use the player below to hear more on this story, including an interview with Bridgeville School Superintendent and Principal, Beth Anderson. This piece was submitted and aired on the KMUD Local News on Wed., Sept. 4, 2013 by KMUD News Anchor Eileen Russell.

On 09-03-2013, approximately 12:20 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the superintendent of Bridgeville Elementary School reporting a water theft. The superintendent reported that about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, a maintenance worker went to the school and noticed there was no running water. When the maintenance worker checked the onsite 20,000 gallon water tank which stores water for the school, the worker discovered there was no water in the tank, it was completely drained. The school had to be closed due to no running water.

Further investigation into the incident revealed tire tracks in the field on the south side of the school. School staff believes someone climbed the fence surrounding the enclosed school grounds and took a garden hose from the school which they used to drain the water tank. It is believed the suspect(s) had a water truck or large truck and trailer with water tanks which allowed them to steal the water from the schools water tank.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

The original post on local water thefts appears below.

"Whiskey’s for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin", a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, could just as well be changed to: "Whiskey’s for drinking and water’s for stealing", as evidenced by the recent news of suspected water thefts in our North Coast region. Areas hit by suspected water thieves include Redway and Myers Flat, Ukiah, and recently Weott.

The first Weott incident occurred around July 26 and resulted in a loss of approximately 10,000 gallons. A few days later a second Weott episode left some families without water, and emergency efforts to rebuild the water storage resulted in leaks in the system causing more water loss. The worsening series of events prompted the Weott Community Services District to call on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to approve a resolution proclaiming the Existence of a Local Emergency to the Weott Water Delivery System. According to KMUD News Correspondent Daniel Mintz, (audio report below) repair of the leaks in the system may require closure of the Avenue of the Giants for a period of two weeks.

Use the player below to hear more about this Emergency Resolution in a piece submitted by Daniel Mintz and aired on the KMUD Local News Tues., Aug. 13, 2013.

The audio player below contains more information on the water theft in Weott and clarifies the issues related to bulk water sales. This story was aired by Christina Aanestad on the KMUD Local News on Tues., Aug. 6, 2013.

Last Thurs., Aug. 8, 2013, after a truck was reported stolen, a Eureka Police officer spotted the vehicle and allegedly identified the driver as 29 year-old Paul Bareilles (see photo above). According to a press release from the Eureka Police Department, the officer gave chase but lost the vehicle as it turned onto the Sequoia Park Duck Pond Road. Reportedly, Bareilles drove the wrong way down this one-way road, crashed through a gate, and subsequently into a redwood tree and fled the scene.

The press release indicates that the suspect, Bareilles, has a history of prior auto theft and possession of stolen vehicle convictions. EPD is asking for the public's help in locating the suspect. The full press release appears below.

Press Release from the Eureka Police Department:On 8-8-2013, at about 0547 hours, a citizen reported that his 1994 Ford F250 work truck was stolen from the 3300 block of H Street in Eureka. A short time after Sergeant Reyna-Sanchez finished approving the stolen auto report, at about 1047 hours, he saw the stolen pick up being driven by 29 year old Paul Bareilles at Glatt and W Street. Upon making eye contact with Sgt Reyna-Sanchez, Bareilles accelerated west/bound on Glatt Street at a high rate of speed. Sgt Reyna-Sanchez lost sight of the stolen truck as it turned onto the Sequoia Park Duck Pond Road. This roadway is a winding single lane, one way roadway that is the exit point for duck pond users. Bareilles drove the Ford F250 the wrong way, down to the duck pond. At the bottom of the hill, Bareilles turned onto a pedestrian pathway, crashing through the vehicle barrier gate. Bareilles drove on the path until he crashed into a redwood tree, causing major damage to the truck. Although his speeds were not witnessed, the destroyed gate and truck speak to speeds that were too dangerous for the conditions. EPD patrol officers set up a perimeter and conducted a search to no avail. The Eureka Police Department is working with the DA’s office to expedite an arrest warrant for Bareilles.

Paul Bareilles has a long history with auto theft and has convictions for auto theft and the possession of stolen vehicles. He was currently out on bail for another auto theft charge that is pending. Bareilles has either been arrested or named as a suspect in about 10 separate investigations since 2005 with the Eureka Police Department. In lieu of an arrest warrant, the Eureka Police Department has issued a Penal Code 836 arrest authorization. PC 836 allows state law enforcement officers to make an arrest for a felony offense based on probable cause.

Anyone with information of his whereabouts should counsel Bareilles to turn himself in or advise law enforcement of his location. Anyone with information can call EPD dispatch at 441-4044.

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